INDUSTRY ISSUES
The Desktop Revolution: How xTool is Democratizing Industrial-Grade Apparel Printing
| May 1, 2026
In the traditional apparel manufacturing landscape, the bridge between a creative concept and a finished garment has long been guarded by high entry barriers, complex industrial workflows, and prohibitive costs. However, a seismic shift is occurring. xTool, which has rapidly ascended to become the world’s second-largest DTF (Direct-to-Film) brand by GMV, is dismantling these barriers.
Volcom Furloughs 75 Percent of Its Workers While Making Plans to Ramp Up
Action-sports brand Volcom furloughed 75 percent of its U.S. employees last week and all of its European employees.
California Apparel Manufacturers Make Face Masks for COVID-19 Pandemic
There has been a shortage of face masks and surgical gear as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. Some California apparel manufacturers have stepped up to meet the challenge of serving the medical community and the public during this time.
YJack to Launch in U.S. Offering Affordable T-shirts With a Luxurious Hand
Following last month’s launch in Korea, the YJack brand is preparing to expand into the United States in April.
Major Apparel and Retail Trade Groups Condemn Forced Labor in Chinese Supply Chains
Leading American retail and manufacturing trade groups, the American Apparel & Footwear Association, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, United States Fashion Industry Association and Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America, issued a strong statement condemning forced labor.
Onzie Celebrates 10 Years of Outfitting Active Women
With a passion for yoga, Kimberly Swarth, founder of the Los Angeles–manufactured active-apparel brand Onzie, has created colorful and uniquely patterned clothing that remains authentic to the culture.
Oublier Collective Stands Up for Big and Tall
When people saw the 6-foot, 6-inch Jamaal Carroll walk into a room, they generally assumed he was a jock. While Carroll played football in high school in Huntsville, Ala., he felt that he had more to offer by making clothes for the big-and-tall category, which includes men taller than 6’1” and weighing more than 200 pounds.
Sustainable Progress and Next Steps on the Table at Artisan Cloth’s Innovation Celebration
Sustainable fashion is on the rise, with brands increasingly describing their products as sustainable and market research stating that consumer interest is developing for sustainability. The Artisan Cloth Inc. showroom recently organized an event, Innovation Celebration 2020, where speakers discussed what was happening in sustainability behind the buzzwords and the hype.
Pantone Keeps Pace With Industry Demand by Introducing New Colors, Digital Updates
Expanding on its existing portfolio, Carlstadt, N.J.-based color authority Pantone announced today that it introduced 315 new colors to its Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors Color System, along with updated digital offerings to support the fresh products.
Levi’s Unveils Balloon Fit Line
The Levi’s brand released a new collection, called Balloon Fit, on March 2. Levi’s new women’s line features an exaggerated curve leg with a mix of fashion and Levi’s classic looks said Jill Guenza, Levi’s vice president of global women’s design.
New Group to Map Where Millions of Tons of Textile Waste Goes
A new sustainability initiative, Accelerating Circularity, announced that it is working with major apparel companies such as Gap Inc., Target Corp. and VF Corp. to chart ways to eliminate textile-industry waste and recycle it into new fibers and materials, according to a Feb. 25 announcement.
Independent Director Appointed to Deckers Board
Effective March 1, Juan R. Figuereo joined the Board of Directors for Goleta, Calif.-based Deckers Brands, parent company of footwear, apparel and accessories brands including UGG, Koolaburra, Hoka One, Teva and Sanuk.
VF Corp. Recognized as a Top Ethical Company
VF Corp., the Denver-headquartered parent company of Vans, The North Face, Dickies and Timberland, was named one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere.
Applied DNA Sciences Receives Patents From Canada, China
As consumers place greater value on quality goods available through a transparent supply chain, Stony Brook, N.Y., Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., announced its receipt of a Chinese patent and notice of allowability for its Canadian patent application for its Encrypted Optical Markers for Security Applications.
Greenpeace Names Lithuanian Mill As A Sustainability Standard Bearer
The influential environmental group Greenpeace challenged the apparel industry in 2011 to eliminate hazardous chemicals from its manufacturing and supply chain by 2020, and on Feb. 24 Greenpeace formally recognized a Lithuanian company as the only mill in the world that adheres entirely to Greenpeace’s textile-procurement rules.
Byer California Acquires KWDZ
Byer California, a major supplier of juniors and misses clothing to major department stores, recently announced its acquisition of KWDZ Manufacturing, LLC, which is based in downtown Los Angeles.
